Dental implants are designed to mirror the structure of natural teeth. They achieve this result by combining three different pieces to form one stable and strong replacement tooth. Our Orland Park dental implant dentist office has put together this explanation of how dental implants are assembled. I hope that after reading this article, you will feel better informed about how dental implants work.
In order for dental implants to work effectively, they need to be stabilized in the jaw. The dental implant root—which is made of titanium—is surgically implanted into the jawbone. This titanium screw serves the purpose of a natural tooth root. It not only grounds and stabilizes the replacement tooth; it also helps keep your natural bone tissue healthy. You see, titanium actually bonds with bone through a process called osseointegration—this prevents bone tissue deterioration, which is a common side effect of tooth loss.
The dental implant ceramic restoration serves the function of the visible tooth above the gum line. This restoration is designed to blend with your natural teeth, and enhance your overall smile. This part of the dental implant restores the appearance of your smile and allows you to eat and speak naturally.
The dental implant root and the ceramic restoration are connected with a piece called an abutment. This connector piece keeps the restoration firmly attached to the dental implant root, while allowing enough flexibility between the two pieces to prevent the implant from snapping under pressure.
With all three of these parts working together, our dentist is able to craft a replacement tooth that truly looks and feels like a natural tooth. Dental implants are a unique and revolutionary replacement tooth option. If you want to learn more about what these implants can do for you, call our Tinley Park dental implant dentists to get started!